Funchal Road.} TERRA AUSTRALIA 2a 
of inhabitants. Several British merchants reside at Madeira ; their isoi. 
houses of business are at Funchal, but their favourite residences are ThiSy'e. 
upon the side of the mountain. I accompanied captain Bowen to one 
of these, the hospitable seat of Mr. Murdoch, and thought it one of 
the prettiest places I had seen. The house of Mr. Pringle, the 
consul, was my home when on shore ; indeed the politeness of our 
countrymen prevented me from experiencing the accommodation 
afforded to strangers at a house in the town, dignified with the name 
of hotel. Some of our gentlemen complained of its being miserable 
enough, even without the swarms of fleas and other vermin by which 
they were molested. 
His Majesty's ships Argo, Carysfort, Falcon, and transports, 
under the command of captain James Bowen, had arrived in Funchal 
Road about nine days before us ; having on board the 85th regiment 
under colonel Clinton. After making their dispositions, the two 
commanders sent to inform the Portuguese governor, that His Bri- 
tannic Majesty, considering the probability of an attack from the 
French upon the island, had sent troops to assist in its defence ; and 
they demanded permission for the forces to land. A council was 
called by the governor ; and it being agreed that even were they 
inclined yet no effectual resistance could be made, the permission 
was given, and a place assigned for the encampment of the troops 
to the west of the town. A part of the 85th was afterwards quar- 
tered in the Loo Fort and in that of St. Diego, which command both 
the town and the road ; and the men were employed in putting 
these fortifications into a state of defence. 
These arrangements caused no change in the administration of 
the government, nor in the trade of the island ; but the governor 
was said to be not satisfied that his conduct would be approved. On 
the day of our arrival, he received intelligence of peace being con- 
cluded between Portugal and Spain, but that the war with France was 
continued; and before we sailed, His Majesty's sloop Voltigeur 
brought despatches from the Court of Lisbon, which directed the 
governor to receive the British troops ; and it was supposed that 
